New CSKA coach told: Win double or be sacked

Serbian Miodrag Jesic (pictured), who won the Bulgarian title with CSKA in 2005, has emerged as favourite to take charge at the club, after Luboslav Penev resigned on Wednesday.

"We've had talks with him and we're impressed with his belief that he's able to win the title once again," chief executive Ventsislav Zhivkov told reporters on Thursday during the club's first training session of the year.

"He loves the club. But at the same time, he must accept that he'll be sacked if doesn't win the (league) title and the cup."

Zhivkov confirmed that Jesic was close to signing a deal with the 31-times Bulgarian champions.

The Serbian, currently with Libyan league leaders Al-Ittihad, was expected to arrive in Sofia later on Thursday for final negotiations.

Penev quit after failing to offer a guarantee that he could take the club to the league title.

CSKA, who have had nearly 30 coaching changes in the last two decades, went into the winter break second in the league standings with 31 points, four behind Litex Lovech.

"We're CSKA and we have to be champions," Zhivkov said.

"There are teams who have smaller ambitions but we always chase first place in the league and the cup."